Eating Low Carb at Longhorn Steakhouse on the Keto Diet
The ketogenic or "keto" diet has become incredibly popular in recent years for its effectiveness at burning fat. By dramatically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat and protein, the keto diet puts the body into ketosis - a metabolic state where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbs.
This low-carb, high-fat way of eating has been shown to promote weight loss, reduce appetite, and improve many health markers for people with conditions like type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (1, 2).
However, sticking to keto can be challenging when dining out, as restaurant meals tend to be high in carbs. Fortunately, many restaurants now offer keto-friendly options to accommodate various diets.
Keto Diet Guidelines
Here's a quick overview of the basic guidelines for following a ketogenic diet (3):
- Limit net carbs to 20-50 grams per day
- Get 60-80% of daily calories from fat
- Eat moderate amounts of protein - typically 0.8-1.2 grams per pound of lean body mass
- Primary keto-friendly foods: Meat, eggs, full-fat dairy, nuts, seeds, avocados, coconut oil, and low-carb vegetables like leafy greens
To stay in ketosis, it's important to avoid all high-carb foods like grains, starchy veggies, fruit, beans and legumes, milk, sweeteners, and processed foods.
Tips for Ordering Low Carb at Longhorn Steakhouse
Longhorn Steakhouse is a popular chain restaurant known for its variety of juicy steaks. Luckily for keto dieters, steak is naturally low in carbs.
Here are some tips for ordering keto-friendly meals at Longhorn Steakhouse:
- Focus on steak cuts like sirloin, NY strip, ribeye, T-bone, and filet mignon.
- Order your steak with a keto-friendly topping like blue cheese, béarnaise, or chipotle butter.
- Opt for a salad or steamed non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or spinach as your side.
- Ask for olive oil and vinegar or lemon wedges to dress your salad instead of high-carb dressing.
- Avoid croutons, corn, potatoes, rice, and breaded or fried sides.
- Stick to water, unsweetened iced tea, or coffee without sugary creamers or syrups for your beverage.
Keto-Friendly Menu Items at Longhorn Steakhouse
Here is a detailed look at some of the best low-carb meal options to enjoy at Longhorn Steakhouse while following a ketogenic diet:
Steaks and Other Proteins
As mentioned earlier, steak is a fantastic keto option since it's very high in fat and protein without the carbs. Some specific low-carb steak choices at Longhorn include:
- Filet mignon - A 6 oz filet with just 3 grams of carbs
- Ribeye - A 12 oz ribeye has 0 carbs
- New York Strip - The 14 oz NY strip has only 1 gram of carbs
- Sirloin - A 7 oz sirloin provides just 1 gram of carbs
- T-bone - A 16 oz T-bone steak has 0 carbs
You can also opt for other low-carb proteins like:
- Pork chops - The Cajun-seasoned bone-in pork chop has 5 grams of carbs for an 8 oz portion
- Salmon - A 6 oz verlasso salmon fillet has 0 carbs
- Shrimp - Jumbo grilled shrimp have 1 gram of carbs for 4 large shrimp
- Chicken - The grilled chicken breast with Parmesan cream sauce has 4 grams of carbs per 5 oz
Low-Carb Sides
While the steakhouse sides at Longhorn like mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and rice pilaf are off-limits, you can opt for these low-carb vegetable choices:
- Steamed broccoli - 5 grams of carbs per serving
- Asparagus - 4 grams of carbs for 6 large spears
- Spinach - 3 grams of carbs per serving
- Side salad - Ranch salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, bacon and cheese has about 5 grams of carbs without croutons or sugary dressing
For an extra fee, you can also swap a starch side for an additional steakhouse side salad or bowl of broccoli, spinach, or asparagus to keep your meal keto-friendly.
Low-Carb Salad Options
Salads can be a great keto choice when topped with fatty ingredients like cheese, nuts, and avocado while avoiding croutons, sugary dressings, and high-carb toppings.
Some salad possibilities include:
- Steakhouse salad - Romaine lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cheese, and bacon. Ask for ranch or oil and vinegar dressing.
- Wedge Salad - Iceberg lettuce wedge with blue cheese dressing, bacon, and tomato.
- Caesar salad - Romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing (ask for no croutons).
Add some grilled chicken or shrimp to turn a salad into a hearty low-carb meal.
Low-Carb Sauces and Condiments
Be mindful of the sauces and condiments you select, as many are loaded with sugar and other hidden carbs. Some keto-friendly sauce choices at Longhorn include:
- Butter - Add some chipotle lime butter on top of your steak
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Parmesan cream sauce
- Béarnaise sauce
- Chimichurri sauce
- Horseradish sauce
Avoid sweet BBQ sauce, honey mustard dressing, and other sugary sauces to keep your meal low carb.
Customizing Your Meal Order at Longhorn
Don't be afraid to ask your server to customize your order to make it keto-friendly. Most steakhouse restaurants are very accommodating to dietary needs.
Here are some useful tips for ordering at Longhorn Steakhouse while doing low carb keto:
- Request no bread, croutons, or chips with your meal.
- Ask for olive oil and vinegar to dress your salad.
- Substitute vegetable sides for starches like fries or mashed potatoes.
- Order sauces and dressings on the side.
- Choose keto-approved beverages like unsweetened iced tea, mineral water, or dry wines.
- Ask about lowering carb counts in menu items like only using half the amount of sauce.
With a few simple modifications, you can easily enjoy a keto meal at Longhorn Steakhouse consisting of steak, low-carb sides, and a salad dressed with oil and vinegar. This provides plenty of fat and protein to keep you full and in ketosis.
Sample Keto-Friendly Meals to Order at Longhorn Steakhouse
Here are some specific keto meal ideas you can order at Longhorn Steakhouse:
Ribeye Steak Dinner
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FAQs
What are some of the best keto-friendly foods to order at Longhorn Steakhouse?
Some great low carb options are steak cuts like filet mignon, ribeye, NY strip, or sirloin. Order with a side salad or low-carb veggies. You can also get grilled chicken, salmon, pork chops, or shrimp.
What sides and salads work for a keto diet at Longhorn?
Choose steamed, non-starchy veggies like broccoli, asparagus, spinach, or a side salad with ranch or oil and vinegar dressing. Avoid croutons, corn, mashed potatoes, and other high-carb sides.
What sauces and condiments can I have on keto?
Opt for sauces like chipotle butter, blue cheese crumbles, Parmesan cream sauce, béarnaise, chimichurri, or horseradish. Avoid sugary BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or other sweet sauces.
Can I order off the regular menu while doing keto?
Yes, with some modifications. Ask for no bread, potatoes, or chips with meals. Sub veggies instead of starches, dress salads with oil/vinegar, and choose keto-friendly sauces.
What can I drink on the keto diet at Longhorn?
Stick to unsweetened iced tea, mineral water, dry wines, coffee without sweeteners, or other low-carb beverages. Avoid sugary sodas, fruit juices, and sweet mixed drinks.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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